fasting

Over 3.45 million Americans celebrate the Islamic holy month - here are a few tips to get you acquainted!

On April 13, Muslims across the U.S. began the annual month of prayer, fasting and reflection. Many mosques and community centers have virtual events, but some are holding in-person prayers.

A remote community of Jews who know what it's like to go hungry is reflecting on what its spiritual leader says was "a good year, really not too bad."

Shadrach Mugoya Levi is the spiritual leader of a community of Uganda Jews. After a year of study in Jerusalem, he says he's more prepared than ever for the Day of Atonement.

The Jewish holiday of reflection and hope tends to bring everyone to the heaping table of traditional foods when fasting is over, But celebrating with a huge feast was not always the case.

After a long day of fasting, especially in summer, thirst can be stronger than hunger. The drinks of choice are usually sweet and fruity, but each country puts its own spin on a refreshing beverage.

To break the fast at sunset, mosques distribute nombu kanji, a lightly spiced rice and lentil porridge, to worshipers and the poor. The meal epitomizes the Muslim holy month's spirit of giving.

Fasting every other day is no better for losing weight or keeping it off than restricting calories every day, a study suggests. And it's yet another example of how hard it is to study fasting.

Brandie Jefferson volunteered for a clinical trial to see if intermittent fasting can help treat multiple sclerosis. Five months in, she realizes that this study won't answer that question.

I like to eat, often and a lot. But when I heard about a medical study looking at whether fasting might tame the painful symptoms of MS, I was all in. Then I ate that 7 a.m. bagel.